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down on his days to have more time with his family – wife Annie and sons Sam, who turns 13 later this month, and Jack, 11, and not have as many 3am starts. He seems to have found a work/life balance. As well as finding time with his family, he’s a prominent face on telly. He’s on every afternoon with the eighth series of Tipping Point and every Saturday night with Ninja Warrior. Tipping Point fans crop up in the weirdest places. Ben, who is in the middle of recording the ninth series, said: “I have a friend who is a political correspondent and at the bar in the House of Commons, they have to have Tipping Point on. They are up in arms if it isn’t on. There’s a passion for it.” However, Ben wasn’t sure about the show at first.
He said: “My concern when we first made it was it was such fun in the studio I had no idea what it would be like to watch. We’ve been thrilled to discover it’s as gripping to watch as it is to play.”
There’s even a board game based on the show. Ben had just finished filming 150 episodes and was at the wrap party when he was given a copy.
The next day, he was woken by his sons both desperate to play the game.
He said: “I’d just recorded 150 episodes then spent the night in the pub and had to play more of it. But it was fantastic. My kids loved it and that’s why I like presenting it and Ninja. As a family man, it’s lovely being part of something my whole family enjoy – from grandparents to kids.” Not that many grandparents could take part in Ninja. Neither could Ben, although he’s desperate to. he fitness fanatic has had a year of injuries, including a broken elbow, a slipped disc (which happened as he walked out of a pub) and ruptured ligaments in his ankle. He said: “I didn’t have a go this time. It’s so frustrating because this kind of challenge is what I live for. “But what’s become painfully apparent as I hit my midlife crisis is my body isn’t quite up to my own expectations.” Ben was a huge fan of the Japanese and American versions of the show and jumped at the chance of hosting the UK version, which began in 2015.
He said: “The first thing I said was, ‘I’ll definitely do it as long as I can have a go on the course’.”
It’s the opposite of co-host Rochelle Humes’s reaction. She said: “I’ll definitely do it as long as you don’t make me do the course.”
While Tipping Point has celebrity versions, Ninja pitches celebs in with competitors and Saturday’s show will include his old GMTV co-host, Scots presenter Jenni Falconer.
One person Ben would love to see doing it though is Morgan. He added: “I think he’d attack it with his usual gusto and high expectation.”
While many viewers can’t stand Morgan, Ben said he’s a “pussycat”.
He joked: “I’ve never felt so loved that first week after Piers has been on. And I love when he’s on because I’m asleep in bed.”
Ninja Warrior UK is on STV on Saturday at 6.30pm.